Elite 11 QB buzz: Florida makes push to flip Florida State and TCU top QB commits
The 2024 Elite 11 QB workout period is a hotbed for rumors and catch-ups with the top prospects in the nation. We've surveyed the latest news and interviews with players. One thing we found is that Billy Napier and the Florida Gators are chasing after two 2025 quarterbacks who already have commitments in place elsewhere. […]
The 2024 Elite 11 QB workout period is a hotbed for rumors and catch-ups with the top prospects in the nation. We've surveyed the latest news and interviews with players. One thing we found is that Billy Napier and the Florida Gators are chasing after two 2025 quarterbacks who already have commitments in place elsewhere.
Can Florida flip either a Florida State or TCU quarterback commit for their 2025 class?
Florida Gators Try to Flip 2025 QB Recruits
Napier's quarterback situation over the next few years is set with veteran Graham Mertz in place for 2024, and then star recruit DJ Lagway is ready to take the reins after. But the need for a 2025 quarterback is still very much a real concern. Florida only has fourth-year junior Clay Millen behind Lagway.
That leads us to the present day, where Tom Loy of 247Sports reported on Wednesday that Florida is pushing for two QBs on display at the Elite 11: Tramell Jones Jr. and Ty Hawkins.
Let's take a look at what each quarterback could bring to their new team in the future.
Florida Chases Florida State Commit Tramell Jones Jr.
Jones was one of my winners from Day 1, showing off an athletic build and better arm than what's been advertised. There's real potential, and it's likely Jones will be a starter at a Power 5 program. He needs time and development to be a consistent passer, but Florida is a good landing spot based on their depth chart.
That said, Florida is chasing an uphill battle. The Jacksonville native has been a Florida State commit for over a year and will visit FSU this coming weekend. The Gators are optimistic, but Jones has done little but reaffirm his commitment thus far.
Florida Pushes for TCU Commit Ty Hawkins to Visit
The recruitment of Ty Hawkins continues on. SMU has wooed the TCU commit, and both Florida and Oregon are making a push for the 6-foot-1, 200-pounder from San Antonio. A 4-star athlete who is a tremendous baseball and track and field participant, Hawkins has the dynamic ability to build an offense around.
He's not super consistent, though. He completed only 58% of his passes in 2023, and his mechanics are part of the reason why. I would think Florida would prefer a more consistent option who might not be as boom-or-bust, but time will tell.
